Believen' blog

I believe writing is very important in the class room, and I have put my beliefs into practice, unfortunately it has only been in a limited capacity. In my student teaching I always put ORQ's in my assessments, and tried to go beyond having students define and summarize. I n these ORQ's I tried to get students to reflect on their experiences, discuss challenges they have faced while working on the projects, and how they resolved issues.

I find using writing in all content areas very important, I feel I left High school very unprepared for real life application. I later realized it's importance while working my way through my undergrad. I was using writing not only in my academic career but in all other aspects of my life, whether it was a statement about an insurance claim or a cover for a job application.

In my classroom I plan on using writing on different levels, to day to day things notes and assessments, and on larger projects such as artist statements, and projects that incorporate text and media. Back in October I attended a P.D session at the Speed Art Museum about using art as writing prompts that could be used in cross content areas. I was even given a lesson plans for a interesting writing and art based project.

As for literacy I always encourage students read, I believe any form of literature a step in the right direction, You can always recommend different literature and hope your students grow as reader. With the on set of graphic novels you can be used as support material, and help scaffold your students to improve their literacy. As for any adopted text, I am now a fan of "Hugo Cabret". In the book Hugo's sketch book plays an important part in building the story. Currently their are art educators that are trying to get students use sketchbooks not to practice drawing skills, but also as notebooks where they can keep their notes. I have in the past decade kept sketch books, journals, and idea note books; and will encourage my students to do the same. I also find students fascination with manga and anime useful tool that I can use for examples to help demonstrate elements of art and principals of design. I will always recommend my students to read, whether it's for pleasure, or their education.